Midwest BankCentre loan applicants' info hacked, posted online

ST. LOUIS (KSDK) - Midwest BankCentre now says the personal information of 109 loan applicants was hacked and posted online.

That information includes names, addresses, phone numbers, social security numbers, and even income.
The bank found out about the breach late Monday.

According to its latest statement, as soon as it found out it posted a security alert on its website, and contacted the Secret Service and the FBI.

NewsChannel 5 is told the bank has worked since they found out to call everyone on that list that was posted online.

We talked to a long-time customer from Arnold whose name was the very first one on the list. He tells us his information came from a loan he applied for in 2006.

"Shock. It's like how, there ain't no way, why me? I'm nobody. My credit ain't the best, so it's not like they're going to be getting a whole lot out of me," said Scott Knoll.

Midwest BankCentre is offering free LifeLock identity theft protection to anyone who was affected by this breach.

Experts say anyone affected by this breach, or any breach, should report it to the credit reporting agencies.

"It's important to report it to one of the credit reporting agencies because they can put kind of a lockdown, a security watch on your credit report in case there's fluctuations," said St. Louis Better Business Bureau President Michelle Corey. "And also they can allow you to look at it to see any unusual activity. For instance, loans taken out in your name that you didn't authorize."

No word on which branches were affected by the breach.

Here is the statement Midwest BankCentre released Tuesday:

"Midwest BankCentre has staff on hand this evening to field calls about a security breach affecting 109 loan applications. It also continues to reach out to speak with loan applicants affected by the breach and offer them free LifeLock identity theft protection. Today, the bank dedicated additional staff to make calls and field calls from customers about the breach. The Secret Service and the FBI continue to investigate the breach which was discovered on April 8, 2013. Midwest BankCentre has had a forensic firm on site all day to investigate the source of the breach. As it has done since the breach was discovered, Midwest BankCentre will post security alert updates on its web site to keep customers informed. The bank encourages customers with any questions to call 314-631-5500 or 1-800-894-1350."